For years now the harvest has been less than it should be. Last year the people of Oisin's village sacrificed a goat, but their god did not come. Now, in desperation, a human sacrifice has been suggested, and Oisin, recently orphaned and feeling life is not worth living, volunteers. But the god Belinos is not quite what he seems, and Oisin's sacrifice will not be what he expects, for Belinos first came out of the darkness to drink the sacrificial blood not because he was a god, but because he was a vampire. This is just the beginning of the changes to Oisin's life, as he is drawn further and further into a world of gods and magic, where the most unexpected thing is not even his own blossoming talent, but the blossoming feelings he has for Belinos. Love between mortal and immortal is not without its difficulties, though. As outright war among the gods threatens, Oisin will end up making a far greater difference in the conflict than he could ever have dreamed possible.

The Sacrifice

Again Caydren broke the bubble with his black blade, and again Oisin cast another. “I can do this all night,” said Oisin, his face set in an expression of determination, “so you might as well surrender.”


Caydren’s only response was a cry of rage as he stabbed once more at the ward, his face a distorted mask of hatred and anger.


Oisin felt a sadness settle into his heart. The Caydren he’d known was gone. Perhaps he’d never existed at all, any more than the father he’d wished for had. But if he had once existed, Alitius had murdered him, and now there was only this hate-filled thing remaining.


Chapter 68